Apparatus for spraying fluent materials



May 30, 1967 FIG. I

-FROM AIR COMPRESSOR SPRAY GUN J. E. HACKEL APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING FLUENT MATERIALS Original Filed Feb. 28, 1964 ATOMIZNG LINE ' PILOT REGULATOR MATERIAL LINE/ VALVE PRESSURE RELIEF FIG. 2

TO PUMP AIR MOTOR PRESSURE RESPONSIVE REGULATOR PUMP 71 AIR MOTOR MATERAAL' PUMP,

M y INVENTOR.

JOSEPH E HACKEL BY 3 ind/us Stark Arfoawevs United States Patent Ofiiice 3,322,351 Patented May 3t), 1967 3,322,351 AIPARATUS FUR SPRAYING FLUENT MATERIALS Joseph E. Hackel, 721 W. Montclaire Ave,

Milwaukee, Wis. 53217 Continuation of application Ser. No. $38,014, Feb. 23, 1964. This application May 9, 1966, Ser. No. 548,802

12 Claims. (Cl. 239-332) This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 348,014, filed Feb. 28, 1964, now abandoned.

This invention relates to apparatus for spraying fluent materials and more particularly to control means for such apparatus.

In apparatus for spraying fluent materials such as texturing materials and the like, the material is supplied under pressure to a spray applicator such as a gun wherein the material is atomized or broken up into small particles by a stream of air under pressure which also carries the particles against the surface to be coated. In apparatus of this type, it is common practice to mount the air source and material source on a truck which may be at a considerable distance from the point of application. In view of the generally long material line in the system, there will be a considerable pressure drop between the material pump and the spray applicator.

When the gun is shut off at the point of application in known spray apparatus, the interruption in the flow of air to the gun will also stop the air motor for the material pump so that additional material is not introduced into the material line during down-time. However, during down-time the pressure drop in the material line tends to equalize itself over the length of the line so that the pressure at the gun rises considerably above normal. As a result, when operation is resumed there is initially a surge of material from the gun which even the most experienced operator has difliculty controlling and operation remains erratic until the normal operational pressure drop is again restored.

Another difliculty in known spray apparatus is the fact that the material flow rate is not controllable at the spray applicator or gun. Such a control is generally only provided at the air motor driving the material pump. And since this means for regulation of material flow is on the truck, an operator in a multiple story building is not likely to return to the truck to modify the material flow, but instead will do the best he can with the existing flow rate even though his production will be somewhat inferior.

It is generally an object of this invention to provide means adjacent to the spray applicator or gun and convenient to the operator for regulating the material flow rate through the system along with means whereby pressure buildup at the spray applicator due to equalization of pressure in the supply line during down-time is substantially prevented.

Generally, according to this invention, a pressure responsive fluid flow regulating valve is interposed in a fluid pressure line extending between a fluid pressure source and the means forcing the material from the ma terial source to the spray applicator. The regulation side or chamber of the pressure responsive fluid flow regulating valve communicates with a source of air pressure through an air pressure line extending to a location near the spray applicator or gun. Adjacent to the spray applicator or gun and convenient to the operator, the air pressure line includes control valve means whereby the pressure on the regulation side or chamber of the pressure responsive fluid flow regulating valve may be varied to control the material flow through. the material supply line.

According to another aspect of this invention, further control valve means are also placed in the air pressure line adjacent to the spray applicator or gun and may be opened to relieve or exhaust the pressure on the regulation side of the pressure responsive: fluid flow regulating valve to close the latter and thereby prevent further in troduction of material into the material supply line. After opening the control valve means to prevent further introduction of material into the supply line, the gun may remain operative until the material flow therefrom reaches a given minimum. Since the pressure in the material supply line is in this manner relieved, "there will be no substantial pressure rise at the gun due to equalization of pressure in the supply line during down-time and the initial surge of material from the gun when operation is resumed is substantially eliminated.

The drawing furnished herewith illustrates the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently contemplated and set forth hereinafter.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an apparatus for spraying fluent material and show the control arrangement of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a pressure responsive regulator valve as may be employed in the apparatus of this invention; and

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a pilot regulator valve.

Referring to the drawing,

the apparatus for spraying fluent materials,

such as texturing materials and the like, includes a spray applicator such as the gun I which receives the fluent material under pressure through a supply line 2. The gun I further communicates with a source of air, not shown but indicated to be an air compressor, through the line 3. In the gun I the fluent material is atomized or broken upinto small particles by a stream of air under pressure which also carries the particles against the surface to be coated. The respective lines 2 and 3 are flexible so that the gun I is generally portable and during periods of operation may be aimed or directed at the will of the operator to coat the desired surface. The trigger 4 on the gun 1 provides for on-olf control of the gun.

The fluent material for coating is contained within a tank 5 and is forced through the material line 2 to the gun l by a suitable pump 6 disposed in the tank. The pump 6 is driven by the air motor 7 which is in turn driven by air under pressure supplied through the line 8 from an air compressor or other source.

A suitable T-fitting a is disposed in. the pressure line 8 and provides a location for the connection of line 3 supplying the atomizing air to the gun I. The arrangement provides for a source of atomizing air to the gun 1 even when operation of the pump air motor 7 is interrupted.

In many spray coating installations the tank 5 for the material along with the pump 6, air motor 7 and the air pressure source are mounted on a vehicle which of necessity may be parked at a considerable distance from the point of application of the spray coating so that the material supply line 2 and the atomizing air line 3 for the gun I will be of considerable length. In view of the relatively heavy consistency of the fluent material and the considerable length of the supply line 2, there is a substantial pressure drop in the supply line between the pump 6 and the gun 1 during operation which'i-n known spray installations tends to equalize itself throughout the line during down-time giving rise to certain problems hereinbefore described.

According to this invention, control means are provided adjacent to the gun 1 whereby the material flow rate through the supply line 2 to the gun may be regulated and whereby operation of the pump 6 may be interrupted without rendering the gun 1 ineffective so that the spray gun may continue to operate until the residual pressure in the supply line ,is substantially reduced to thereby substantially eliminate an initial surge of material upon resumption of spraying after a period of down-time.

To carry out the invention, a pressure responsive air flow regulator valve such as a diaphragm regulator or the like is disposed in the pressure line 8 between the pump air motor 7 and the connection for the atomizing air line 3 and serves to control the air to the air motor. The regulation side or chamber 10a of the pressure responsive regulator valve 10 is placed .in communication with the atomizing air line 3 adjacent to the gun 1 through the generally flexible pressure line 11 which is connected to a suitable T-fitting 12 in the atomizing air line. Thus, the pressure line 11 and the regulation side or chamber 10a of the pressure responsive regulator valve 10 are subjected to the air pressure in the atomizing air line 3.

To control the flow rate of material through the material supply line 2, a manually adjustable pilot regulator valve 13 is disposed in the pressure line 11 adjacent to the gun 1. So located, the pilot regulator valve 13 is readily available to the operator to control the air pressure in the line 11 to the regulating side or chamber 10a of the pressure responsive regulator valve 10. With variation of pressure on the regulation side of the pressure responsive regulator valve 10, the output pressure of the valve to the air motor 7 is correspondingly varied to regulate the speed of the air motor and pump 6 to provide the desired pressure and flow rate through the material sup ply line 2.

The pressure line 11 is further provided with a manually operable pressure relief valve 14 adjacent to the gun 1 whereby pressure communication from the atomizing line 3 may be cut off and the regulation side or chamber 10a of the pressure responsive regulator valve 10 may be exhausted or opened to atmosphere through the conduit portion 15 on valve 14 to close the regulator valve 10 and thereby interrupt the flow of air to the air motor 7 to stop the pump 6 and prevent introduction of further material into the material supply line 2. With opening of the pressure relief valve 14 to stop the pump air motor 7 and prevent introduction of further material into the supply line 2, the pressure in the atomizing air line 3 remains substantially unaffected so that the spray gun 1 can remain operative. Thus, when the operator determines to cease operation and stops the material pump 6 by opening the pressure relief valve 14, spraying may be continued from the gun 1 until the residual pressure in the material line 2 is substantially spent and the material flow reaches a given minimum. In this manner pressure buildup at the spray gun 1 due to the equalization of pressure in the material supply line 2 during down-time is substantially prevented and an initial surge of material from the gun 1 upon resumption of spraying is substantially eliminated.

To resume operation in accordance with this invention, the spray gun I is turned on by manipulation of the trigger 4 and the pressure relief valve 14 is closed to restablish pressure communication between the atomizing air line 3 and the regulation side or chamber 10a of the pressure responsive regulator valve 10. Thereupon, the pressure responsive regulator valve 10 is opened to drive the 4 air motor 7 and resume pumping of material in accord ance with the setting of the pilot regular valve 13. While initially little atomized material issues forth from the spray gun 1, the normal operational pressure drop is soon restablished in the material supply line 2 and normal spray operation ensues.

The invention thus provides means for remotely controlling the material pump 6 in a spraying installation at the spreay applicator or gun 1. The control means provided is not only capable of regulating the material flow rate through the material supply line 2 to the gun 1, but can also stop the pump 6 without rendering the spray gun ineffective so that gun may continue to operate until the residual pressure in the material supply line is substantially reduced so there will be substantially no pressure buildup at the spray gun during down-time. As a result an initial uncontrollable surge of material from the spray gun upon resumption of spraying is substantially elminated.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for spraying fluent material, a spray applicator for directing the atomized material against the surface being coated and having on-ofi' control means, a source of fluent material, a supply line connecting the material source and the spray applicator, a pump in said supply line to force the material through the supply line to the spray applicator, an air motor to drive the pump, a source of air under pressure, an air supply line connecting the air pressure source and the air motor to drive the motor, an atomizing air line connecting the air pressure source and the spray applicator, a pressure responsive air flow regulator valve disposed in the air supply line and having a regulation chamber to regulate the air pressure through the air motor to control the pump and thereby the flow of material through the supply line, an air pressure line placing the regulation chamber of the pressure responsive air flow regulator valve in communication with the atomizing air line at a location adjacent to and spaced rearwardly from the on-ofi control means on the spray applicator, and control means adjacent to the spray applicator in the air pressure line to regulate the pressure in the regulation chamber of the pressure responsive air flow regulator valve.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the control means in the air pressure line includes a manually operable pilot regulator valve whereby the pressure in the regulation chamber of the pressure responsive air flow regulator valve may be varied to establish a corresponding output pressure to the air motor and thereby provide for the desired material flow through the material supply line.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein the control means in the air pressure line includes a manually operable pressure relief valve whereby the pressure in the regulation chamber of the pressure responsive air flow regulator valve may be exhausted to the atmosphere to stop the air motor and thereby prevent introduction of further material into the material supply line.

4. In apparatus for spraying fluent material, a spray applicator for directing the atomized material against the surface being coated and having discharge control means, a source of fluent material, a supply line connecting the material source and the spray applicator, a pump in said supply line to force the material through the supply line to the spray applicator, an air motor to drive the pump, a source of air under pressure, an air supply line connecting the air pressure source and the air motor to drive the motor, an atomizing air line connecting the air pressure source and the spray applicator, a pressure responsive air flow regulator valve disposed in the air supply line and having a regulation chamber to regulate the airpressure through the air motor to control the pump and thereby the flow of material through the supply line, an air pressure line placing the regulation chamber of the pressure responsive air flow regulator valve in communication with the atomizing air line at a location adjacent to and spaced rearwardly from the discharge control means on the spray applicator, a manually operable pilot regulator valve in the air pressure line adjacent to the spray applicator whereby the pressure in the regulation chamber of the pressure responsive air flow regulator valve may be varied to establish a corresponding output pressure to the air motor and thereby provide for desired material flow through the material supply line, and a manually operable pressure relief valve in the air pressure line adjacent to the spray applicator whereby the pressure in the regulation chamber of the pressure responsive air flow regulator valve may be exhausted to the atmosphere to stop the air motor and thereby prevent introduction of further material into the material supply line, said spray applicator being adapted to remain operable after the air motor is stopped until the residual pressure in the material supply line is substantially reduced to thereby prevent a pressure buildup at the spray applicator during down-time.

5. In apparatus for spraying fluent material, a spray applicator for directing the material against the surface being coated and having discharge control means, a source of fluent material, a supply line connecting the material source and the spray applicator, means including a fluid pressure line to force the material from the material source to the spray applicator, a source of fluid pressure for said fluid pressure line, a pressure responsive fluid flow regulator valve disposed in the fluid pressure line and having a regulation chamber to regulate the fluid pressure in the fluid pressure line and thereby the flow of material through the supply line, a source of air under pressure, an air pressure line placing the regulation chamber of the pressure responsive fluid flow regulator valve in communication with the air pressure source and extending to a location adjacent to and spaced rearwardly from the discharge control means on the spray applicator, and manually operable control valve means in the air pressure line adjacent to the spray applicator to regulate the pressure in the regulation chamber of the pressure responsive fluid flow regulator valve apart from the control means on the spray applicator.

6. The invention as set forth in claim 5 wherein the means to force the material from the material source to the spray applicator includes a pump disposed in the material supply line and driven by a fluid motor communicating with the fluid pressure source through the fluid pressure line.

7. In apparatus for spraying fluent material, a spray applicator for directing the material against the surface being coated and having on-ofl' control means, a source of fluent material, a supply line connecting the material source and the spray applicator, a pump in said supply line to force the material through the supply line to the spray applicator, an air motor to drive the pump, a source of air under pressure, a first air supply line connecting the air pressure source and the air motor to drive the motor, a pressure responsive air flow regulator valve disposed in the first air supply line and having a regulation chamber to regulate the air pressure through the air motor to control the pump and thereby the flow of material through the material supply line, a second air supply line connecting the air pressure source and the spray applicator, an air pressure line placing the regulation chamber of the pressure responsive air flow regulator valve in communication with the second air supply line at a location adjacent to and spaced rearwardly from the on-ofl control means on the spray applicator, and control valve means in the air pressure line adjacent to the spray applicator to regulate the pressure in the regulation chamber of the pressure responsive air flow regulator valve apart from the on-ofl control means on the spray applicator.

8. In a fluent material supply system including applicator means for applying the material to a work area and having on-ofl control means, a source of the fluent material, a supply line connecting the material source and the applicator means, means to force the material through the supply line to the applicator means, an air motor to drive the force means for the material, a source of air under pressure, and an air supply line connecting the air pressure source and the air motor to drive the motor, the improvement comprising a pressure responsive air flow regulator disposed in the air supply line and having a regulation chamber to regulate the air pressure through the air motor to control the force means for the material and thereby the flow of material through the material supply line, an air pressure line placing the regulation chamber of the air flow regulator in communication with the air pressure source, said air pressure line extending to a location adjacent to and spaced rearwardly from the on-off control means on the applicator means, and manually operable control valve means in the air pressure line adjacent to the applicator means to regulate the pressure in the regulation chamber of the air flow regulator apart from the control means on the applicator means.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein the control valve means in the air pressure line includes a manually operable pilot regulator valve means whereby the pressure in the regulation chamber of the air flow regulator may be varied to correspondingly vary the air flow to the air motor and thereby provide for the desired material flow through the material supply line.

10. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein the control valve means in the air pressure line includes a manually operable pressure relief valve means whereby the pressure in the regulation chamber of the pressure responsive air flow regulator may be exhausted to the atmosphere to stop the air motor and thereby prevent introduction of further material into the material supply line.

11. The invention as set forth in claim 8 wherein the control valve means in the air pressure line includes a manually operable pilot regulator valve means whereby the pressure in the regulation chamber of the air flow regulator may be varied to correspondingly vary the air flow to the air motor and thereby provide for the desired material flow through the material supply line and a manually operable pressure relief valve means whereby the pressure in the regulation chamber of the pressure responsive air flow regulator may be exhausted to the atmosphere to stop the air motor and thereby prevent introduction of further material into the material supply line, the setting of the pilot regulator valve means being unaffected by manipulation of the pressure relief valve means whereby upon closure of the latter to start the air motor material flow through the material supply line will resume at the same flow rate as existed prior to the material flow interruption.

12. In a supply system for delivering fluent materials, a source of fluent material, a supply line extending from the material source to a delivery area, a pump in said supply line to force the material through. the supply line to the delivery area, a fluid motor to drive the pump, a source of fluid pressure, a fluid pressure line connecting the fluid pressure source and the fluid motor to provide for driving of the motor, a pressure responsive fluid flow regulator valve in said fluid pressure line and having a regulation chamber to regulate the fluid pressure through the motor to control the pump and thereby the flow of material through the supply line, means at the delivery area for controlling discharge of fluent material, and separate means adjacent to the delivery area and spaced rearwardly from said discharge control means and disposed in communication with the regulation chamber of the pressure responsive fluid flow regulator valve, said separate means being adapted to regulate the pressure in the regulation chamber of the pressure responsive fluid flow regulator valve.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Garver 239-578 Paradise 222-334 Gray 239-332 Liedberg 239-322 Trumbull et al. 239304 X M. HENSON WOOD, 111., Primary Examiner. 

1. IN APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING FLUENT MATERIAL, A SPRAY APPLICATOR FOR DIRECTING THE ATOMIZED MATERIAL AGAINST THE SURFACE BEING COATED AND HAVING ON-OFF CONTROL MEANS, A SOURCE OF FLUENT MATERIAL, A SUPPLY LINE CONNECTING THE MATERIAL SOURCE AND THE SPRAY APPLICATOR, A PUMP IN SAID SUPPLY LINE TO FORCE THE MATERIAL THROUGH THE SUPPLY LINE TO THE SPRAY APPLICATOR, AN AIR MOTOR TO DRIVE THE PUMP, A SOURCE OF AIR UNDER PRESSURE, AN AIR SUPPLY LINE CONNECTING THE AIR PRESSURE SOURCE AND THE AIR MOTOR TO DRIVE THE MOTOR, AN ATOMIZING AIR LINE CONNECTING THE AIR PRESSURE SOURCE AND THE SPRAY APPLICATOR, A PRESSURE RESPONSIVE AIR FLOW REGULATOR VALVE DISPOSED IN THE AIR SUPPLY LINE AND HAVING A REGULATION CHAMBER TO REGULATE THE AIR PRESSURE THROUGH THE AIR MOTOR TO CONTROL THE PUMP AND THEREBY THE FLOW OF MATERIAL THROUGH THE SUPPLY LINE, AN AIR PRESSURE LINE PLACING THE REGULATION CHAMBER OF THE PRESSURE RESPONSIVE AIR FLOW REGULATOR VALVE IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE ATOMIZING AIR LINE AT A LOCATION ADJACENT TO THE SPACED REARWARDLY FROM THE ON-OFF CONTROL MEANS ON THE SPRAY APPLICATOR, AND CONTROL MEANS ADJACENT TO THE SPRAY APPLICATOR IN THE AIR PRESSURE LINE TO REGULATE THE PRESSURE IN THE REGULATION CHAMBER OF THE PRESSURE RESPONSIVE AIR FLOW REGULATOR VALVE. 